The loser worldview is that whoever is causing the problem needs to fix it for you.
The problem with the loser worldview is that in many cases the only person who CAN fix the problem is you, even if you had nothing to do with causing it. A winner in that situation fixes his own problem. A loser sits indefinitely waiting for others to solve it for him, even knowing that won't happen.
When indoor smoking was my problem, the fault was clearly with the smokers and with management that allowed it. So I went after them and made them fix their problem for my benefit. That plan worked because the problem was fixable.
When I hit the diversity ceiling on two occasions, I chose to run instead of fight because in those cases victory seemed impossible. I also ran from my hometown because staying and convincing everyone to build some industry so I can get a good job seemed impractical.Daron Acemoglu on EconTalk (LINK)
Related book: Why Nations FailA 2009 conversation between Dan Carlin and Gwynne Dyer [H/T Raptitude] (LINK)
Mastering the art of self-control: Psychologist Walter Mischel discusses the science behind willpower (LINK)
Related book: The Marshmallow TestAn interesting-looking biography that comes out tomorrow (recommended by Walter Isaacson): Havel: A Life
Václav Havel was one of the most prominent figures of the twentieth century: iconoclast and intellectual, renowned playwright turned political dissident, president of a united then divided nation, and dedicated human rights activist. Written by Michael Zantovsky—Havel’s former press secretary, advisor, and longtime friend—Havel: A Life presents a revelatory portrait of this giant among men and the turbulent times through which he prevailed.